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NBA Award Watch: Russell Westbrook is on fire

By John Buhler

Nov 30, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) reacts after a play against the Washington Wizards during overtime at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 30, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) reacts after a play against the Washington Wizards during overtime at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 26, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Detroit Pistons center Andre Drummond (0) attempts to block a shot attempt by Oklahoma City Thunder guard Victor Oladipo (5) during the second quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 26, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Detroit Pistons center Andre Drummond (0) attempts to block a shot attempt by Oklahoma City Thunder guard Victor Oladipo (5) during the second quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /

Defensive Player of the Year: Detroit Pistons C Andre Drummond

Through the first two months of the 2016-17 NBA season, Defensive Player of the Year has been a three-man race between three outstanding big men. Hassan Whiteside has been tremendous for a horrendous Miami Heat team. Dwight Howard hasn’t been great of late for an Atlanta Hawks team trying to find itself.

At this time, Defensive Player of the Year has to go to Detroit Pistons center Andre Drummond. Drummond is averaging 9.6 defensive rebounds, 1.6 steals, and 1.1 blocks per game playing great defense for Stan Van Gundy’s Pistons.

Of his 1.9 Win Shares on the season, 1.4 are coming on the defensive side of the basketball and his Defensive Box Plus-Minus is up to 3.4

While both Howard and Whiteside have had higher defensive peaks this season than Drummond, they have also had some games where they have struggled. Drummond has been a stout defender all year and he would take home the hardware if the season ended today.

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